US2841308A - Pressure vessel closure - Google Patents

Description

July 1, 1958 F. c. WEICKER 2,841,308

PRESSURE VESSEL CLOSURE Filed Dec. 23, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 1, 1958 C WEICKER 2,841,308

PRESSURE VESSEL CLOSURE Filed Dec. 23, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 1, 1958 F. c. WEICKER PRESSURE VESSEL CLOSURE Filed Dec. 25, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR C. h/E/CAE/t 7m 4 M m Fm 7 ATTORNEYS United States Patent C PRESSURE Vassar. CLOSURE Frederic C. Weicker, Moline, Ill., assignor to American Machine and Metals, Inc, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 23, 1954, Serial No. 477,322

7 Claims. (Cl. 22040) This invention relates to closures for pressure vessels and particularly to an arrangement for locking and unlocking said closures.

In pressure vessels having an access opening, such as filters, cookers, and the like, it is necessary to have a removable closure member to provide ready access to the interior of said vessel, said closure member being lockable in sealing relation with said opening. For safety reasons, it is desirable that the closure member be arranged so that it cannot be unlocked or opened while substantial pressure exists within the vessel.

One of the objects of the present invention is to pro vide an improved arrangement for locking and unlocking the closure member of a pressure vessel.

A still further object is to provide an arrangement wherein the closure can be unlocked only when the pressure condition in the vessel is such that it is safe to unlock the same.

In one aspect of the invention, the pressure vessel may have a circular opening with a circular closure member adapted to be placed in sealing relationship therewith. A rotatable locking ring may be mounted on the vessel adjacent the aperture, said ring having lugs thereon. The ring lugs are arranged to cooperate with lugs on the closure member upon turning of the locking ring relative to the closure member so that when the ring is rotated relative to the closure member, the closure member will be locked in sealed relationship by cam surfaces on the lugs. The lugs on the closure are dimensioned relative to the lugs on the ring so that when the ring and closure are in unlocked angular relationship, the closure can be moved axially relative to the ring and vessel. The relative rotation of the locking ring to the closure member is accomplished by motor means, preferably fluid operated. In a preferred form, a hand, or otherwise operated, hydraulic pump can be connected to said fluid' operated motor means through a master control valve movable to permit fluid pressure of the pump to operate said motor means in a closure looking or closure unlocking direction. When the pump is connected to the motor means by said control valve for unlocking the closure means, a motor means disabling or sequence valve is provided to prevent operation of the motor means in an unlocking direction except when the pressure within the vessel has been reduced to a predetermined safe level. In a preferred form, said disabling valve is connected to the pressure connection from said pump to the fluid motor means in such a manner as to relieve operating pressure in said connection when pressure exists in said vessel.

In a further aspect, a fluid motor can be attached to the cover for moving the cover away from and toward the vessel, suitable valves and connections being provided so that the cover closing and locking arrangement can be sequentially operated by the source of fluid.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings, which are merely exemplary.

In the drawings: t

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation view showing a closure member in place on a pressure vessel, the dotdash lines showing the position of the closure member when removed therefrom.

Fig. 2 is a view looking from the right of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic circuit showing-one arrangement for operating the closure member locking and unlocking means, the motor control valve being in closure locking position.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the motor control valve in a position for unlocking operation of the motor means, the disabling valve being open due to pressure within the pressure vessel.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 6 and 7 are similar to Figs. 3 and 4 except that means for sequentially actuating the door have been added.

The invention will be described in conjunction with a cylindrical pressure vessel having an open end with a cooperating closure member. Cylindrical shell 10 (Figs. 1, 2) has an open end surrounded by an annular lip 15, the open end being closeable by closure or cover member 11. The lip may be separately formed and welded to the shell or otherwise attached. A suitable gasket can be inserted between the closure member or cover 11 and the lip 15 or end of the vessel. Closure member 11 has a plurality of radially extending lugs 12 located around its periphery, the distance between adjacent lugs being greater than the arcuate length of a lug. Rotatable locking ring 13 cooperates with said lip 15, said locking ring 13 having a flange 16 engageable with the rear side of lip 15. Lugs 17 of said ring are arranged to engage operatively lugs 12 of the closure member when the ring is rotated relative to the cover after the cover has been moved axially relative to the pressure vessel and against said lip. Either or both sets of lugs 12 or 17 may have cam surfaces so that as the ring 13 is rotated, closure member 11 will be firmly locked in sealing relation to the vessel. Preferably, the cam surfaces extend continuously the length of the lugs.

One manner of rotating locking ring 13 is by employment of hydraulic or fluid motors 18, said fluid motors having cylinders 19 pivotally mounted at 20 to an exterior portion of the shell of pressure vessel 10, piston or ram arrangement 21 being pivotally connected at 22 with locking ring 13. As will be described hereafter, suitable connecting pipes 23, 24 can be employed to supply fluid from the hydraulic operating means. The stroke of the piston in its cylinder can serve to limit rotation of the ring.

The invention is illustrated in conjunction with a filter enclosed in pressure vessel 10, said pressure vessel being supported on saddles or supports 25. An overhead monorail can be supported at one end on the pressure vessel by bracket 27 and at the other end in any suitable manner. The closure member 11 can be connected through projection 28 to carriage 29 moveably mounted on monorail 26. In this form, closure 11 is moveable axially relative to vessel 11) to and from open and closed position.

In a preferred arrangement for rotating locking ring 13, reference may be made to Fig. 3, wherein main control valve 30 has been moved to the left to connect the fluid pump with the ring moving fluid motor to move the locking ring in a locking direction. First the operation of the ring locking and unlocking arrangement will be described.

Hand pump 31 may be of any suitable type having an inlet 32 connected to a reservoir or fluid supply tank 33. pump output line 34 feeds through check valve 35 to central port 36 of body 37 of main control valve 30,

31 is actuated, fluid willflow or pressure will'be transmitted through line 34, check valve 35, central port 36, port landline 33 o he ishtha end o fluidmotor 39. f This vvill cause piston 40 tonmove ,connecting d jl; .a d lockin ringA ri Q lo k gne tionsh p:Id to the cover. As viewed in Fig. 3, loc king ring sflcorresponding to ring-l3, can be considered to bemovedinto J log 'ngrelationship when it is moved in a counteniclock- H Line. 43 is, connected through.-port.44 vvithpport 45,;which,permits liquid frornthe lefthand end "ofthe cylinder to'flow freely to reservoir 46, said,-. reser- Xo flde i e be u t y. onn t lfn t how i w Lreseryoirfil d lnasmuch asfithere ,is no, pressure in vessel 47,- spring 48 will act on bellows 49 to keepthe pressure relief valve ,50 on its seat and thusclose the relief passagejl to relief reservoir or, line 52. .Relief reservoin52 also may ,be. connectedio the main reservoir 33 through-a suitable ,line (not shown).

Assuming that pressure vessel 47, correspondingto vessel 10, is underpressure and control-valve 30; has been moved to :the' right (Fig. 4) for unlocking of the closurernember, actuation of hand pump 31 .will cause fluid toflow through port 36, port 44, line 43 to-the left hand .end. of fluid motor;39. 'The right ,hand end of tion or reservoir 52, so that motor 39 will notmovcring operation of pump 31 will exert pressure on the left hand end of cylinder 55 through line 86, valve 83,, line 87, valve 75, line 74.

cylinder 55 will flow through closed valve 71, line 70,

line 38A to reservoir I Thus, it can be seen thatthe door and locking ring can be sequentiallygoperated. p

Various types of pressure sensitive relief valve, or

wsequence =means .canibe used as' well' as;,any suitable main struction can be varied without'departing from the spirit I control valve. Also, various types of motor means for turning the ring can be employed, pressure .in the vessel above :aasafe. unlocking levelndisabling.saidsmotor-means. It is to be further understood that, other details ofconof the invention except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: s 1 ..In apressure vessel :having closuremeans forlclo'sing an' opening in said vessel; said means including: a

.-tatable. relative. to,the.- other for lockingsaid cover :when

ing motonmeans connected toasaid ring for;rotating. said rotatable element relative tozthe other element,.motor 42. After pressure in vessel47 has been-reduced -;sufiiciently so: that itis safe to unlock; the vessel, valve 50 .will close and thereafter actuation ofpumpfil 1 vill; re J sultinmovement of-piston to turn ring 42 in a clockwise; or unlocking direction.

In a further aspect, power cylinder 55 may be mounted on bracket 56, said cylinder having a piston therein con- Znected by' red 57 with-carriage 29. Fluid connections can be provided for subjecting the appropriate endofthe cylinder to move the door toward and away fromjthe actuating, meansconnected to said motor means,for;actuating. s aid .motor=, means in lockingandv unlocking direction, and fluid pressure -.responsive means: communicating ,vvithgthednterior. of said vessel and; connected 7 to, said zmotor actuating means for preventing .the. actuation of said motor meansby saidgactuatingsmeanssto .,,ther eby preVenLturning ,said rotatable element from a 7 locked; to. .an unlocked position ,-relative, :to. said' .other elementu'hen; the pressure inthe interior of said. vessel is more than a predetermined value.

2.,ln a pressure vessel having closure means foriclosing an opening in..said-;vesse1, said means havingv a pair of elements, one of which is rotatable, relative to the :other relative to,the other element, fluidpressure'source means connected ,to saidfluidoperated motor means'for actuat- .ingsaidmotor means inlocking andunlockingdirection,

to one against its seat and the locking; ring turned and vice versa. 7 V

One manner in which this can be carried out'is illusand fluidpressure responsive means communicating-wit the. inter or,= of saidvesselandconnected to said fluid pressure source meanshforpreventing the actuation of said fluid operated motor means by. said 'source mean's' whfi lmorethan a, vPredetermined pressure exist's'in said trated in Figs. 6 and 7, similar parts to- 1?igs.v 3 and-A being given identical; numbers.

valve 71 inFig. 6 being open to end 72-jof cylinder '55. The, left hand end 7 3 is connected through line 74 and valve 75 to reservoir 76. Projection 77; on pistonqrod: 57 isarranged to movevalve 75 to; that shown in Fig; 6 when the door is in its; fully opened position. As-fluid pressureisapplied by pump 31,.it wilLmovepistonrod 57 to the left 'until thedooris imposition against-the vessel; "Projection 73 then--will open valve -71so' that further operation of pump 31 will exertpressure on the right hand end of piston 40 through line 80.: Projection 77 also will contact projection 81 on valve operatorz-BZ to move the valve to the position illustratedin Fig. 7.

As;;t he locking ring isrotated to the .locked position, valve 83 will 'be closed; because projection. .on .the ring will move away from said valve 83.

When itisdesired toopen the vessel from-the locked positipn of Fig. 7, assuming there is no pressure within the vessel, operation of pump 31 will exert .pres'sure'ifirst' line 33A-to -r e servoirl46. -Whenjthe' ring is. opened,-

vesse-Lso asto. prevent opening said closure except whe'n the pressure. withingsaid vessel'is .below said predetermined value.

v 3.111 a-Pressure, vessel having closure meansfor closing angopeningin ,said vessel, said means including a cover, having ,c'ooperatingcam -means therebetween the combmanonincludmg pressure motor means for rotating said rotatable, element relative to the other element, pressure s upply meansconnected to said-"motor'means for actuating ;sa1d motor means in:.-locking"and unlocking dlrectiom and safety'interlockfluidpressurerespo'nsive means communicating with the interior of said vesseland conn g dtmsald pressure supplyi means to prevent-actuw tlQnfOf Sald motor means by said supply'rneans,"therebv preventing opening of said cover when'thepressure in said vessel isgabo'v'e' aipredetermined value.

4. In a pressure vessel having closure rneansfor closing" an opening 1n;-sa1dvessel, saidrneans including a ring and -cover, one;.of these elements being rotatable'relativeto theqther,=.=fordockingsaid cover onsaid vessel when 7 rotated in one direction and unlocking 'said *covcr'when Fluidfrom the right hand end of locking ring and cover, one of these ,elementsbeingrorotated in the opposite direction, said ring and cover having cooperating cam means therebetween, the combination including a pair of pressure motor means conuected to said ring for rotating said rotatable element relative to the other element, pressure supply means connected to said motor for actuating said motor means in locking and unlocking direction, and safety interlock fluid pres e responsive means communicating with the nterior id vessel and connected to said pressure supply means to prevent actuation of said moto: means by said supply means when the pressure in said vessel is above a predetermined value.

5. In a pressure vessel having closure means for closing an opening in said vessel, said m ans including a. ring and cover, one of these elements being rotatable relativ to the other for locking said cover on vessel when rotated in one direction and unlocking said cover when rotated in the opposite direction, said ring and cover having cooperating cam means therebetween, the combination including a pair of pressure motor means connected to said ring for rotatiing said rotatable element relative to the other element, pressure supply means connected to said motor means for actuating said motor means in locking and unlocking direction, main control valve means connected to said motor means and said pressure supply means, so that said motor means can be operated selectively in locking and unlocking direction, and safety interlock fluid pressure responsive means communicating With the interior of said vessel and connected to said pressure supply means to prevent actuation of said motor means in unlocking direction when the pressure in said vessel is above a predetermined value.

6. In a cylindrical pressure vessel having a door for closing an open end thereof, and a locking ring mounted on said vessel, said door and ring having interengageable lugs With cooperating cam means, said ring being rotatable relative to said door for locking said door on said vessel when rotated in one direction and unlocking said door when rotated in the opposite direction, the combination including fluid operated motor means connected to said ring for rotating the ring relative to said door, fluid pressure supply means, a main control valve connected to said motor means and said fluid pressure supply so that said motor means can be operated selectively in looking and unlocking direction, and safety interlock fluid pressure responsive means communicating with the interior of said vessel and connected to said fluid pressure supply means, said fluid responsive means relieving operating pressure to said fluid operated motor means when actuated in an unlocking direction when the pressure in said vessel is above a predetermined value.

7. in a pressure vessel having closure means for closing opening in said vessel, said means including a lockmg ring and cover, one of these elements being rotatable relative to the other for locking said cover when rotated in one direction and unlocking said cover When rotated in the opposite direction, the combination including motor means connected to said ring for rotatin said rotatable element relative to the other element, motor actuating means connected to said motor means for actuating said motor means in locking and unlocking direction, a main control means connecting said motor actuating means and motor means, so that said motor means can be selectively operated in looking and unlocking direction, fluid pressure responsive means communicating with the interior of said vessel and connected to said motor actuating means to prevent actuation of said motor means in unlocking direction when pressure in said vessel is more than a predetermined value, and fluid pressure motor means connected to said cover for moving th same toward and away from said vessel.

leferences @ited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,002,029 Brown Aug. 29, 1911 1,858,013 Heins May 10, 1932 2,160,062 Drake et a1. lay 30, 1939 2,583,073 Ahlborn Jan. 22, 1952 2,679,099 Dunton Feb. 23, 1954 2,718,239 Erbguth Sept. 20, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 327,893 France Sept. 11, 1903 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 2,841,308 July 1, 195

Frederic C Weicker Column 2, line '71, for "pump output" read Pump outlet column 4, line 39, for "closing" read closure column 5, line 21, for "rotatiing" read rotating Signed and sealed this 25th day of November 1958..

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H. AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attesting Oflicer Commissioner of Patent

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